Image processing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image processing system includes an input device for inputting image data, a processing device for performing an image processing job on image data input from the input device, an output device for outputting image data processed by the processing device, and a holding device for holding image data processed by the processing device when the image processing job performed by the processing device satisfies predetermined conditions.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/523,693, filedon Mar. 13, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,136, issued Jul. 16, 2002,which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/959,287, filed on Oct.24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,150, issued May 9, 2000, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/425,154, filed on Apr. 19, 1995,now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing method andapparatus for performing image processing, such as transmission,storage, or recording of images.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a multi-function type combined image processingapparatus has been commercially available, which apparatus has thefollowing various functions added to an image forming apparatus (such asa copying machine), as peripheral devices: a printer function forprinting image information input from a computer or the like, a scannerfunction for reading an original document on a document holder andoutputting the read data to a computer or the like, a facsimile functionfor transmitting and receiving an image to and from a terminal connectedto a public telecommunications line, a rasterizing function forinterpreting page description language and developing it into bit mapdata, and an image file function for storing and reading out image datafrom a secondary storage device having a large capacity, and whichapparatus is capable of utilizing each function of the input system,each function of the conversion system and each function of the outputsystem in combination.

Also, some color copying machines are designed to be easily usable as aprinter or a scanner by connecting as a peripheral device an intelligentprocessing unit (IPU) which serves as an interface for variousanalog/digital video images.

Some of these combined image processing apparatuses or systems arecapable of selecting a desired function from a plurality of functions ofthe image output system and outputting the function by controlling thecontroller when it has a plurality of image output functions.

However, in a conventional combined image processing apparatus, as animage output apparatus involved in one image processing job, just oneapparatus is selected and used from among a plurality of image outputapparatuses. That is, to output one image to a plurality-of image outputapparatuses having different functions, a separate image output jobcorresponding to each of the plurality of image output apparatuses isexecuted individually. Therefore, when it is desired to produceduplicate copies of the result of the image processing in execution, theoperator must perform the image processing job twice, once for eachcopy. For example, after a facsimile transmission to an importantdestination, to make a duplicate copy of the transmitted image,additional operation, for example, copying the original image onto paperor storing it in an image file, must be performed, in response to a newoperation instruction. Not only is the manual operation for making aduplicate copy inconvenient for the operator, but also there is the riskthat the operator may forget to make the duplicate copy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved to solve the above-describedproblems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention toprovide an image processing method and apparatus capable of surelymaking any necessary duplicate copy of an image without requiring somany manual operations by the operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing method and apparatus capable of holding necessary image datafrom image data output in an image file or the like during facsimiletransmission, printout and the like.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided animage processing method, comprising the steps of: a processing step forperforming an image processing job on image data; a determining step fordetermining if an image processing job performed in the processing stepsatisfies predetermined conditions; and an output step for outputtingthe image data obtained by performing the image processing job in theprocessing step to an output destination which is not related to theimage processing job, when it is determined in the determination stepthat the image processing job satisfies the predetermined conditions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image processing apparatus, comprising: processing means forperforming an image processing job on image data; determining means fordetermining if the image processing job performed by the processingmeans satisfies predetermined conditions; and output means foroutputting the image data obtained by performing the image processingjob to an output destination which is not related to the imageprocessing job, when it is determined by the determination means thatthe image processing job satisfies the predetermined conditions.

The above and further objects, aspects and novel features of theinvention will more fully appear from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general view of an image processing apparatus in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a reader unit and a printer unit inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing section of the readerunit in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core section in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a facsimile section in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a file section in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computer interface section in accordancewith the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a formatter section in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image memory section in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with afourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with asixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with aseventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with aneighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the operationsection in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the displaycontents of the computer in accordance with the eighth embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates the construction of a combined image processingapparatus to which the present invention is applied. The basic operationof the combined image processing apparatus will be explained first withreference to FIG. 1.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an image input apparatus (hereinafterreferred to as a reader unit) in which imaging elements, such as CCDs,read an original document to produce corresponding image data; referencenumeral 2 denotes an image output apparatus, such as a laser beamprinter or an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printerunit), having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, foroutputting image data as visible images onto recording paper inaccordance with a print command; and reference numeral 3 denotes anexternal device which is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 andwhich has various types of functions.

The external device 3 consists of a facsimile section 4, a file section5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file section 5, acomputer interface section 7 for connecting to a computer (PC/WS) 11, aformatter section 8 for making information from the computer 11 visible,an image memory section 9 for temporarily storing information receivedfrom the computer 11, and a core section 10 for controlling the abovefunctions.

The function of each section will be explained below in detail.

Explanation of the Reader Unit 1

A detailed explanation of the reader unit 1 will be provided withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Original documents stacked on a document transport apparatus 101 are fedonto a document holder glass 102. When the document is transported, alamp 103 of the scanner unit is lit, and the scanner unit 104 moves toexpose and scan the document. The light reflected from the documentpasses through a lens 108 via mirrors 105, 106 and 107, and then entersa CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as a CCD).

The image processing of the reader unit 1 will now be explained indetail with reference to FIG. 3. Image information input to the CCD 109as light is color separated and photoelectrically converted intoelectrical signals by the CCD 109. The color information for each ofthree color components from the CCD 109 is amplified by a respectiveamplifier 110R, 110G, or 110B according to the input signal level of anA/D converter 111, after which the information is converted into digitalimage signals for each color component of the three colors by the A/Dconverter 111. The signals output from the A/D converter 111 are inputto a shading circuit 112 whereby shading distortion, such as distributedlight variation of the lamp 103 or sensitivity variation of the CCD 109,is corrected. The RGB digital image signals from the shading circuit 112are input to a Y signal generation/color detection circuit 113 and anexternal interface switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation/color detection circuit 113 computes the RGBdigital image signals by an equation described below and obtains the Ysignal:

Y=0.3R+0.6G+0.1B

Further, the Y signal generation/color detection circuit 113 has a colordetection circuit for separating the RGB digital image signals intoseven colors and outputting signals for each color.

The signals output from the Y signal generation/color detection circuit113 are input to a scaling/repeat circuit 114. In the reader unit 1,scaling along the subscanning direction is performed by varying thescanning speed of the scanner unit 104 according to the scaling factor,and scaling along the main scanning direction is performed by decreasingor increasing image signals by means of the scaling/repeat circuit 114according to the scaling factor. It is also possible to have thescaling/repeat circuit 114 output the same image repeatedly.

A contour/edge enhancement circuit 115 obtains edge enhanced imagesignals and contour information by enhancing high-frequency componentsof the signals from the scaling/repeat circuit 114. The signals from thecontour/edge enhancement circuit 115 are input to a marker areadetermination circuit 116 and a patterning/masking/trimming circuit 117.

The marker area determination circuit 116 reads a portion written with amarker pen of a specified color on the original document and generatescontour information which represents the contour marked with the marker.The patterning/masking/trimming circuit 117 performs masking or trimmingon the basis of the contour information, and also performs patterning onthe basis of the color detection signals from the Y signalgeneration/color detection circuit 113.

The signals output from the patterning/masking/trimming circuit 117 areinput to a laser driver circuit 118, where various operations areperformed on the signals and the signals are converted into signals fordriving the laser. The drive signals from the laser driver circuit 118are input to the printer unit 2, where the signals are formed into avisible image.

Next, an explanation will be given of an external interface switchingcircuit 119 for interfacing with the external device 3. When imageinformation (8-bit multi-valued digital image signals) from the readerunit 1 are output to the external device 3, the external interfaceswitching circuit 119 outputs image information from thepatterning/masking/trimming circuit 117 to a connector 120. When thereader unit 1 inputs image information from the external device 3, theexternal interface switching circuit 119 inputs the image informationfrom the connector 120 to the Y signal generation/color detectioncircuit 113.

Each of the above-described image processing is performed in accordancewith an instruction from a CPU 122 in response to the operation commandfrom an operation section 124. An area creation circuit 121 generatesvarious timing signals necessary for the above-described imageprocessing on the basis of the values set by the CPU 122. Further, byusing communication functions installed in the CPU 122, communicationwith the external device 3 is performed via the connector 120. A sub-CPU123 controls the operation section 124 and communicates with theexternal device 3 via the connector 120 by using the communicationfunctions installed in the sub-CPU 123.

Explanation of the Printer Unit 2

In FIG. 2, the image signals input to the printer unit 2 are convertedinto optical signals (a laser beam) by an exposure control section 201,causing a photosensitive member 202 to be irradiated in accordance withthe image signals. The latent image formed on the photosensitive member202 is developed by a developing unit 203. In synchronization with thedevelopment, transfer paper is transported from a transfer paperstacking section 204 or 205, and the developed image is transferred by atransfer section 206. The image-transferred transfer paper is fixed by afixing section 207, after which the paper is ejected from the apparatusby a paper ejection section 208. The transfer paper output from thepaper ejection section 208 is ejected in alignment with one or anotherbin of sorter 220 when the sort function of the sorter 220 is operating,and when the sort function is not operating, the transfer paper isejected to the topmost bin of the sorter.

Next, an explanation will be given of a method in which images for twosheets or pages of paper will be recorded on both sides of one sheet ofoutput paper, on the basis of image signals for two original documentswhich are read in sequence.

The output paper fixed by the fixing section 207 is transported to thepaper ejection section 208 once, after which the orientation of thepaper is reversed and it is transported to a transferred paper stackingsection 210 for resupply via a transportation direction switching member209. When the next original document becomes ready, in the same way asin the above process, the image of the original document is read. Sincethe transfer paper is fed by the transferred paper stacking section 210for paper resupply, it is possible to output two original documents ontothe obverse and reverse sides of one sheet of output paper.

Explanation of the External Device 3

The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 through a cable,and signals and various functions are controlled by the core section 10inside the external device 3. The external device 3 consists of thefacsimile section 4 for transmitting and receiving a facsimile, the filesection 5 for converting various original document information intoelectrical signals and storing the signals, the computer interfacesection 7 for interfacing with the computer 11, the formatter section 8for developing code information from the computer 11 into imageinformation, the image memory section 9 for storing information from thereader unit 1 and for temporarily storing information received from thecomputer 11, and the core section 10 for controlling the above-describedvarious functions.

The functions of each section will be explained below in detail.

Explanation of the Core Section 10

The core section 10 will now be explained with reference to FIG. 4. Aconnector 1001 of the core section 10 is connected to the connector 120of the reader unit 1 through a cable (not shown).

Four types of signals are connected to the connector 1001. A signal online 1057 is an 8-bit multi-valued digital image signal. A signal online 1055 is a control signal for controlling digital image signals. Asignal on line 1051 is used to communicate with the CPU 122 in thereader unit 1. A signal on line 1052 is used to communicates with thesub-CPU 123 in the reader unit 1. The lines 1051 and 1052 are connectedto a communication IC 1902 whereby communication information processedby a communication protocol process is transmitted to a CPU 1003 via aCPU bus 1053.

The signal line 1057 is a bi-directional video signal line, and thusinformation from the reader unit 1 can be received by the core section10 and information from the core section 10 can be output to the readerunit 1. The signal on line 1057 is stored in a buffer 1010 where thebi-directional signal is separated into uni-directional signals,supplied via lines 1058 and 1070. The uni-directional signal on line1058 is an 8-bit multi-valued digital image signal which is output fromthe reader unit 1 and then input to an LUT (look-up table) 1011 at thenext stage. Digital image signals from the reader unit 1 are convertedinto desired values by referring to the LUT 1011. A signal on a line1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to a binarization circuit 1012 or aselector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 has a simple binarizationfunction for binarizing the multi-valued digital image signal 1059(hereinafter, the signals will sometimes be referred to by the numbersof the lines which carry them, where no confusion will result) on thebasis of a fixed slice level, a binarization function based on avariable slice level such that the slice level varies from the value ofthe pixels around the subject pixel, and a binarization function basedon an error diffusion method.

Binarized information is converted into multi-valued signals of 00H whenthe information is “0” and FFH when the information is “1” and theninput to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 selectseither the signal from the LUT 1011 or the signal output from thebinarization circuit 1012. A signal 1060 output from the selector 1013is input to a selector 1014. The selector 1014 selects either digitalimage signal 1064 input to the core section 10, which is input from thefacsimile section 4, the file section 5, the computer interface section7, the formatter section 8, and the image memory section 9 viaconnectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008 and 1009, respectively, or the signal1060 output from the selector 1013, in accordance with an instructionfrom the CPU 1003.

A signal 1061 output from the selector 1014 is input to a rotationcircuit 1015 or a selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 has afunction for rotating the input image signal by +90°, −90°, or +180° andstores binarization image signals to be subjected to rotation.

Next, the rotation circuit 1015 performs a rotation operation onbinarization image signals stored and reads signals in accordance withan instruction from the CPU 1003. The selector 1016 selects either asignal 1062 output from the rotation circuit 1015 or a signal 1061 inputto the rotation circuit 1015, and inputs the selected signal on line1063, to a connector 1005 for the facsimile section 4, a connector 1006for the file section 5, a connector 1007 for the computer interfacesection 7, a connector 1008 for the formatter section 8, a connector1009 for the image memory section 9, and a selector 1017.

The signal line 1063 is an 8-bit synchronous uni-directional video busthrough which image information is transferred from the core section 10to the facsimile section 4, the file section 5, the computer interfacesection 7, the formatter section 8 and the image memory section 9. Thedigital image signal line 1064 is an 8-bit synchronous uni-directionalvideo bus through which image information is transferred from thefacsimile section 4, the file section 5, the computer interface section7, the formatter section 8 and the image memory section 9. A videocontrol circuit 1004 controls the synchronous bus between the signals1063 and 1064, and control is performed by a signal 1056 output from thevideo control circuit 1004.

Further, a signal line 1054 is connected to the connectors 1005, 1006,1007, 1008 and 1009. The signal 1054 is a bi-directional 16-bit CPU busthrough which data and commands are exchanged by an asynchronous method.Transferring of information from the facsimile section 4, the filesection 5, the computer interface section 7, the formatter section 8 andthe image memory section 9 to the core section 10 or vice versa ispossible through the video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 1054.

The signals 1064 from the facsimile section 4, the file section 5, thecomputer interface section 7, the formatter section 8 and the imagememory section 9 are input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017.The selector 1014 inputs the signals 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015at the next stage in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects the signals 1063 and 1064 in accordance withan instruction from the CPU 1003. A signal 1065 output from the selector1017 is input to a pattern matching circuit 1018, and selectors 1019 and1021. The pattern matching circuit 1018 performs pattern matchingbetween the signal 1065 and a predetermined pattern. When the patternsmatch each other, a predetermined multi-valued signal is output to asignal line 1066. When the patterns do not match, the input signal 1065is output as it is to the signal line 1066.

The selector 1019 selects either the signal 1065 or the signal 1066 inaccordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003. A signal 1067 outputfrom the selector 1019 is input to an LUT 1020 at the next stage,whereby the input signal 1067 is converted in conformity with thecharacteristics of printer unit 2 when image information is output tothe printer unit 2.

A selector 1021 selects either a signal 1068 or 1065 output from the LUT1020 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003. The signaloutput from the selector 1021 is input to an enlarging circuit 1022 atthe next stage.

The enlarging circuit 1022 is capable of enlarging the image inaccordance with scaling-up factors set independently of each other alongthe X and Y directions in accordance with an instruction from the CPU1003. The scaling-up method is a first-order linear interpolationmethod. A signal 1070 output from the enlarging circuit 1022 is input tothe buffer 1010. The signal 1070 input to the core section 10 is formedinto a bi-directional signal 1057 in accordance with an instruction fromthe CPU 1003, sent out to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001 andprinted out.

Next, the flow of signals between the core section 10 and each sectionwill be explained.

The Operation of the Core Section 10 on the Basis of the Informationfrom Facsimile Section 4

A case in which image information is output to the facsimile section 4will be explained. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of thereader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues an originaldocument scan command. The reader unit 1 outputs image information tothe connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the original documentin response to this command. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3are connected to each other through a cable. The image information fromthe reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core section 10,and the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to thebuffer 1010 through the multi-valued 8-bit signal line 1057. The buffer1010 inputs the bi-directional signal 1057 as a uni-directional signalto the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 in accordance with aninstruction from the CPU 1003. The LUT 1011 converts image informationfrom the reader unit 1 into desired values by using a look-up table(this permits, for example, an all-white portion like the base of theoriginal document to be skipped. The signal 1059 output from the LUT1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage, whichconverts the 8-bit multi-valued signal 1059 to a binary signal. When thebinarized signal is “0” or “1”, the binarization circuit 1012 convertsthe signal into two multi-valued signals of levels 00H and FFh,respectively.

The signal output from the binarization circuit 1012 is input to therotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selector 1013 and theselector 1014, respectively. The signal 1062 output from the rotationcircuit 1015 is also input to the selector 1016 where either the signal1061 or the signal 1062 is selected. This selection of the signal isdetermined by the CPU 1003 making communications with the facsimilesection 4 via the CPU bus 1054. The signal 1063 output from the selector1016 is sent out to the facsimile section 4 via the connector 1005.

Next, a case in which information is received from the facsimile section4 will be explained. The image information from the facsimile section 4is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. Thesignal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. Whenthe image received during facsimile reception is rotated and output tothe printer unit 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003,the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014 is rotated by the rotationcircuit 1015. The signal 1062 output from the rotation circuit 1015 isinput to the pattern matching circuit 1018 via the selector 1016 and theselector 1017.

When image received during facsimile reception is output to the printerunit 2 as it is in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, thesignal 1064 input to the selector 1017 from the facsimile section 4 isinput to the pattern matching circuit 1018.

The pattern matching circuit 1018 has the function of smoothing the“jaggies” (jaggedness) of the edge of the image received duringfacsimile reception. The pattern matched signal is input to the LUT 1020via the selector 1019. In order for the image received by facsimile tobe output by the printer unit 2 at a desired density, the table of theLUT 1020 can be changed by the CPU 1003. The output signal 1068 of theLUT 1020 is input to the enlarging circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.The enlarging circuit 1022 performs an enlarging operation on 8-bitmulti-valued signals having two values (00H and FFH) by a first-orderlinear interpolation.

The 8-bit multi-valued signals having a number of values from theenlarging circuit 1022 are sent out to the reader unit 1 via the buffer1010 and the connector 1001. The reader unit 1 inputs these signals tothe external interface switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. Theexternal interface switching circuit 119 inputs the signals from thefacsimile section 4 to the Y signal generation/color detection circuit113. The signals output from the Y signal generation/color detectioncircuit 113, after being subjected to the above-described processing,are output to the printer unit 2 where the image is formed on outputpaper (transfer paper).

Operation of the Core Section 10 on the Basis of Information of the FileSection 5

A case in which information is output to the file section 5 will now beexplained. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues an original document scancommand. The scanner unit 104 scans this original document in accordancewith this command, and the reader unit 1 outputs image information tothe connector 120.

The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected to each otherthrough a cable. The information from the reader unit 1 is input to theconnector 1001 of the core section 10, and the image information inputto the connector 1001 is formed into a uni-directional signal 1058through the buffer 1010. The multi-valued 8-bit signal 1058 is convertedinto a desired signal by using the LUT 1011. The signal 1059 output fromthe LUT 1011 is input to the connector 1006 via the selector 1013, 1014and 1016.

That is, the 8-bit multi-valued digital image signal is transferred asit is to the connector 1005 without using the functions of thebinarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015. When binarysignals are to be filed through communication with the file section 5via the CPU bus 1054 of the CPU 1003, the functions of the binarizationcircuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. The binarizationoperation and the rotation operation are the same as those in theabove-described facsimile.

Next, a case in which information is received from the file section 5will be explained. The image information from the file section 5 isinput as the signals 1064 to the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 viathe connector 1006. When the image information has been stored as 8-bitmulti-valued digital image signals, this information can be input to theselector 1017; when the image information has been stored as binaryimage signals, this can be input to the selector 1014 or 1017.

In the case of filing at binary values, the same operation as for thefacsimile are performed. In the case of filing at multi-values, thesignal 1065 output from the selector 1017 is input to the LUT 1020 viathe selector 1019. The LUT 1020 creates a look-up table in accordancewith an instruction from the CPU 1003 according to the desired printdensity. The signal 1068 output from the LUT 1020 is input to theenlarging circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The 8-bit multi-valuedsignal-1070 enlarged at a desired scaling-up factor by the enlargingcircuit 1022 is sent out to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 andthe connector 1001. The information of the file section 5 which has beensent out to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 and formedinto an image on output paper (transfer paper) in the same way as in theabove-described facsimile.

Operation of the Core Section 10 on the Basis of the Information of theComputer Interface Section 7

The computer interface section 7 interfaces with the computer 11connected to the external device 3, and has three types of interfaces:SCSI, RS232C and Centronics as a computer interface. Information fromeach interface is sent out to the CPU 1003 via the connector 1007 andthe data bus 1054. The CPU 1003 performs various controls on the basisof the contents received.

Operation of the Core Section 10 on the Basis of the Information for theFormatter Section 8

The formatter section 8 has the function for developing command data fora document file or the like received from the computer interface section7 into image data. When the CPU 1003 determines that the datatransmitted from the computer interface section 7 via the data bus 1054is data for the formatter section 8, the CPU 1003 sends the data to theformatter section 8 whereby the transferred data is formed into imageinformation as a visible image, and this image is developed in the imagememory section 9 via the connector 1009.

Next, the procedure for receiving information from the formatter section8 and forming an image on output paper (transfer paper) will beexplained. The image information from the formatter section 8 istransmitted as multi-valued signals having two values (00H and FFH) tothe signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. The signal 1064 is input tothe selectors 1014 and 1017 which are controlled in accordance with aninstruction from the CPU 1003. Thereafter, the operation is performed inthe same way as in the case of the above-described facsimile.

Operation of the Core Section 10 on the Basis of the Information in theImage Memory Section 9

A case in which information is output to the image memory section 9 willbe explained. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the readerunit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and the connector 1001 and issuesan original document scan command. In the reader unit 1, the scannerunit 104 scans the original document in response to this command, andthe image information is output to the connector 120. The reader unit 1and the external device 3 are connected to each other through a cable.The image information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector1001 of the core section 10. The image information input to theconnector 1001 is sent out to the LUT 1011 via the multi-valued 8-bitsignal line 1057 and the buffer 1010. The signal 1059 output from theLUT 1011 causes multi-valued image information to be transferred to theimage memory section 9 via the selectors 1013, 1014 and 1016 and theconnector 1009.

The image information stored in the image memory section 9 is sent outto the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009. The CPU 1003transfers data received from the image memory section 9 to the computerinterface section 7. The computer interface section 7 transfers data inconformity with a desired interface selected from among theabove-described three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C and Centronics)

Next, a case in which information is received from the image memorysection 9 will be explained. Initially, image information is sent out tothe core section 10 from the computer 11 via the computer interfacesection 7. If the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 determines that thedata received from the computer interface section 7 via the CPU bus 1054is data for the image memory section 9, the data is transferred to theimage memory section 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memorysection 9 transmits the 8-bit multi-valued signals 1064 to the selectors1014 and 1017 via the connector 1009. The signals output from theselector 1014 or 1017 are output to the printer unit 2, and an image isformed on the output paper (transfer paper) in the same way as in theabove-described facsimile.

Explanation of the Facsimile Section 4

The facsimile section 4 will now be explained in detail with referenceto FIG. 5.

The facsimile section 4 is connected to the buffer 1010 through aconnector 400 and exchanges various signals. When binary informationfrom the core section 10 is stored in any of memories A405 to D408, asignal 453 from the connector 400 is input to a memory controller 404and is stored in any of memories A405, B406, C407, and D408, or in a setof cascaded memories under the control of the memory controller 404.

The memory controller 404 has five functions: a mode in which data isexchanged between the memories A405, B406, C407, and D408 and a CPU bus462 in accordance with an instruction from a CPU 412; a mode in whichdata is exchanged with a CODEC (coder and decoder) bus 463 of a CODEC411 having coding and decoding functions; a mode in which data for thecontents of the memories A405, B406, C407, and D408 is exchanged througha bus 454 from a scaling circuit 403 under the control of a DMAcontroller 402; a mode in which binary video input data 454 is stored inany of the memories A405, B406, C407, and D408 under the control of atiming generating circuit 409; and a mode in which the contents of thememories A405, B406, C407, and D408 are read out and output to a signalline 452.

The memories A405, B406, C407, and D408 each have a capacity of 2 Mbytesand store image information corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400dpi. The timing generating circuit 409, connected to the connector 400through a signal line 459, is activated by a control signal (HSYNC, HEN,VSYNC, and VEN) from the core section 10 and generates a signal forachieving the two functions described below.

One function is that image signals from the core section 10 are storedin one or two memories from among memories A405, B406, C407, and D408.Another function is that image information is read from any one ofmemories A405, B406, C407, and D408 and is transmitted to the signalline 452. The CPU 1003 of the core section 10 is connected to a dualport memory 410 through a signal line 461, and the CPU 412 of thefacsimile section 4 is connected to the dual port memory 410 through asignal line 462. The CPU 412 exchanges commands via the dual port memory410. A SCSI controller 413 interfaces with a hard disk 12 connected tothe facsimile section 4 shown in FIG. 1, in which hard disk data isstored during facsimile transmission or reception.

The CODEC 411 reads image information stored in any of the memoriesA405, B406, C407, and D408 and codes the image information by anydesired method from among, for example, the MH, MR and MMR methods, andthen stores it as coded information in any of the memories A405, B406,C407, and D408. Also, the CODEC 411 reads coded information stored inthe memories A405, B406, C407, and D408 and encodes the information by adesired method of the MH, MR and MMR method, and then stores it as imageinformation in any of the memories A405, B406, C407, and D408. A MODEM414 modulates coded information from the hard disk connected to theCODEC 411 and the SCSI controller 413 so that it can be transmitted overa telephone line and demodulates information received from an NCU(network control unit) 415 in order to convert the information intocoded information and transfers the coded information to the hard diskconnected to the CODEC 411 and the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415,directly connected to a telephone line, exchanges information with anexchange disposed in a telephone station in accordance with apredetermined procedure.

One embodiment in facsimile transmission will now be explained. Thebinary image signals from the reader unit 1 are input from the connector400, pass through the signal line 453, and reach the memory controller404. The signals 453 are stored in the memory A405 by the memorycontroller 404. The timing at which the image information is stored inthe memory A405 is generated by the timing generating circuit 409 inresponse to the timing signal 459 from the reader unit 1. The CPU 412connects the memories A405 and B406 of the memory controller 404 to abus line 463 of the CODEC 411. The CODEC 411 reads image informationfrom the memory A405, codes it by the MR method and writes the codedinformation in the memory B406.

When the CODEC 411 codes image information of an A4 size, the CPU 412connects the memory B406 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus462. The CPU 412 reads out the coded information in sequence from thememory B406 and transfers it to the MODEM 414 which modulates the codedinformation and transmits the facsimile information over the telephoneline via the NCU 415.

Next, one embodiment in facsimile transmission will be explained. Theinformation received over the telephone line is input to the NCU 415whereby the information is connected to the telephone line in accordancewith a predetermined procedure. The information from the NCU 415 entersthe MODEM 414 whereby the information is demodulated. The CPU 412 storesthe information from the MODEM 414 via the CPU bus 462 in the memoryC407. When information for one screen has been stored in the memoryC407, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 so that a data line457 of the memory C407 is connected to the bus line 463 of the CODEC411. The CODEC 411 reads out the coded information of the memory C407 insequence and decodes it, and stores it as image information in thememory D408. The CPU 412 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the coresection 10 via the dual port memory 410, and makes the setting formaking the image pass through the core section 10 from the memory D408to the printer unit 2 whereby the image is printed.

When the setting for printout is terminated, the CPU 412 activates thetiming generating circuit 409 in order to output a predetermined timingsignal from a signal line 460 to the memory controller 404. The memorycontroller 404 reads out the image information from the memory D408 insynchronization with a signal from the timing generating circuit 409,transmits the image information to the signal line 452 and outputs it tothe connector 400. The same operations as was explained in the coresection 10 are performed from this point until the image information isoutput from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2.

Explanation of the File Section 5

The file section 5 will now be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 6.

The file section 5, connected to the core section 10 through a connector500, exchanges various signals. A multi-valued input signal 551 is inputto a compression circuit 503 where the multi-valued image information iscompressed and the compressed information is output to a memorycontroller 510. Signals 552 output from a compression circuit 503 arestored in any of memories A506, B507, C508, and D509, or in two sets ofcascaded memories under the control of the memory controller 510.

The memory controller 510 has five functions: a mode in which data isexchanged between the memories A506, B507, C508, and D509, and a CPU bus560 in accordance with an instruction from a CPU 516; a mode in whichdata is exchanged with a CODEC bus 570 of a CODEC 517 for performingcoding and decoding; a mode in which the contents of memories A506,B507, C508, and D509 are exchanged with a bus from a scaling circuit 511under the control of a DMA controller 518; a mode in which a signal 563is stored in any of memories A506, B507, C508, and D509 under thecontrol of a timing generating circuit 514; and a mode in which thememory contents are read out from any of memories A506, B507, C508, andD509 and output to a signal line 558.

The memories A506, B507, C508, and D509 each have a capacity of 2 Mbytesand store image information corresponding to an A4 size page at aresolution of 400 dpi.

The timing generating circuit 514, connected to a connector 500 througha signal line 553, is activated by a control signal (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC,and VEN) from the core section 10 and generates a signal for achievingthe two functions described below.

One function is that image information from the core section 10 isstored in one or two from among memories A506, B507, C508, and D509.Another function is that image information is read from any one ofmemories A506, B507, C508, and D509 and transmitted to the signal line556. The CPU 1003 of the core section 10 is connected to a dual portmemory 515 through a signal line 554, and a CPU 516 of the file section5 is connected to the dual port memory 515 through a signal line 560.The two CPUs exchange commands via the dual port memory 515. A SCSIcontroller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 6 connectedto the file section 5 shown in FIG. 1. The external storage device 6, tobe specific, is formed of an optomagnetic disk in which data, such asimage information, is stored. The CODEC 517 reads out image informationstored in any of the memories A506, B507, C508, and D509 and codes theimage information by any desired method from among, e.g., the MH, MR andMMR methods, and then stores it as coded information, i.e., imageinformation, in any of memories A405, B406, C407, and D408.

One embodiment in which image information is stored in the externalstorage device 6 will now be explained. 8-bit multi-valued image signalsfrom the reader unit 1 are input through the connector 500, pass througha signal line 551 and input to the compression circuit 503. The signals551 are input to the compression circuit 503 where the signals arecompressed and converted into compressed information 552. The compressedinformation 552 is input to the memory controller 510. The memorycontroller 510 makes the timing generating circuit 559 generate a timingsignal 559 in response to a signal 553 from the core section 10, and thecompressed information 552 is stored in the memory A506 in accordancewith this signal. The CPU 516 connects the memories A506 and B507 of thememory controller 510 to the bus line 570 of the CODEC 517. The CODEC517 reads out compressed information from the memory A506 and codes itby the MR method and writes the coded information in the memory B507.When the coding by the CODEC 517 is terminated, the CPU 516 connects thememory B507 of the memory controller 510 to the CPU bus 560.

The CPU 516 reads out the coded information in sequence from the memoryB507 and transfers the coded information to the SCSI controller 519which causes the coded information 572 to be stored in the externalstorage device 6.

Next, one embodiment in which information is taken out from the externalstorage device 6 and output to the printer unit 2 will be explained.When the CPU 516 receives an information retrieval or print command, theCPU 516 receives coded information from the external storage device 6via the SCSI controller 519 and transfers the coded information to thememory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 connects the CPUbus 560 to a bus 566 of the memory C508 in accordance with aninstruction from the CPU 516. When the transferring of the codedinformation to the memory C508 is terminated, the CPU 516 controls thememory controller 510 in order to connect the memories C508 and D509 tothe bus 570 of the CODEC 517. The CODEC 517 reads the coded informationfrom the memory C508 and decodes the coded information in sequence, andthen transfers it to the memory D509. When scaling, such as enlargementor shrinking, is necessary when the information is output to the printerunit 2, the memory D509 is connected to a bus 562 of the scaling circuit511, and the contents of the memory D509 are scaled under the control ofthe DMA controller 518. The CPU 516 communicates with the CPU 1003 ofthe core section 10 via the dual port memory 515 and makes the settingfor making the image pass through the core section 10 from the memoryD509 and output to the printer unit 2.

When the setting for printing out the image is terminated, the CPU 516activates the timing generating circuit 514 in order to output apredetermined timing signal to the memory controller 510 from the memoryD509. The memory controller 510 reads out decoded information from thememory D509 in synchronization with the signal from the timinggenerating circuit 514 and transmits the decoded information to thesignal line 556 through which the decoded information is input to anexpansion circuit 504 where the information is expanded. Signals 555output from the expansion circuit 504 are output to the core section 10via the connector 500. The operation from this point until theinformation is output to the printer 3 from the connector 500 is thesame as the operation explained in the buffer 1010.

Explanation of the Computer Interface Section 7

The computer interface section 7 will now be explained with reference toFIG. 7.

Connectors A700 and B701 are SCSI interface connectors. A connector C702is a Centronics interface connector. A connector D703 is an RS232Cinterface connector. A connector E707 is a connector for connecting withthe core section 10.

The SCSI interface connectors 704 and 708 each have two connectors A700and B701. When a plurality of devices having an SCSI interface are to beconnected, they are cascaded by using the connectors A700 and B701. Whenthe external device 3 is connected to computer 11 in one-to-onecorrespondence, the connector A700 is connected to the computer 11through a cable and a terminator is connected to the connector B701, orthe connector B701 is connected to the computer 11 through a cable and aterminator is connected to the connector A700. Information input fromthe connector A700 or B701 is input to a SCSI interface A704 or B708. Afthe SCSI interface A704 or B708 carries out the procedure of the SCSIprotocol, the SCSI interface A704 or B708 outputs data to the connectorE707 via a signal line 754.

The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core section10, and the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 receives information inputto the SCSI interface connector A704 or B708 from the CPU bus 1054. Whendata from the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 is output to the SCSIinterface connector A704 or B708, the above-described procedure isreversed.

A Centronics interface 705 is connected to a connector C702 and input tothe centronics interface 705 via a signal line 752. The Centronicsinterface 705 receives data in accordance with the procedure of apredetermined protocol and outputs the data to the connector E707 viathe signal line 754. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054of the core section 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 receivesinformation input to the Centronics interface connector C702 from theCPU bus 1054.

The RS232C interface is connected to the connector D703 and input to anRS232C interface 706 via the signal line 753. The RS232C interface 706receives data in accordance with the procedure of a predeterminedprotocol and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line754. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the coresection 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 receives informationinput to the RS232C interface connector D703 from the CPU bus 1054.

When data from the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 is output to theRS232C interface connector D703, the procedure of a predeterminedprotocol is reversed.

Explanation of the Formatter Section 8

The formatter section 8 will now be explained below with reference toFIG. 8.

The previously explained data from the computer interface section 7 isidentified by the core section 10. When the data is data for theformatter section 8, the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 transfers datafrom the computer 11 to a dual port memory 803 via a connector 1008 ofthe core section 10 and a connector 800 of the image memory section 9. ACPU 809 of the formatter section 8 receives code data received from thecomputer 11 via the dual port memory 803.

The CPU 809 develops this code data in sequence into image data andtransfers the image data to a memory A806 or B807 via a memorycontroller 808. The memories A806 and B807 each have a capacity of 1Mbyte, and the contents of a sheet of paper of up to A4 size at aresolution of 300 dpi can be stored in one memory A806 or B807. When A3paper is to be stored at a resolution of 300 dpi, the memories A806 andB807 are connected in a cascaded manner, and the image data isdeveloped. The above memories are controlled by the memory controller808 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 809. When thecharacter or picture must be rotated during the development of the imagedata, the character or picture is rotated by a rotation circuit 804,after which the image data is transferred to the A806 or B807.

When the development of the image data into the memory A806 or B807 iscompleted, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 so that a databus line 858 of the memory A806 or a data bus line 859 of the memoryB807 is connected to an output line 855 of the memory controller 808.

Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core section 10via the dual port memory 803 and sets a mode in which image informationis output from the A806 or B807. The CPU 1003 of the core section 10sets the CPU 122 at a print output mode by using a communicationsfunction contained in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via thecommunication IC 1002 within the core section 10.

Next, the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 activates a timing generatingcircuit 802 via a connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formattersection 8. The timing generating circuit 802 generates a timing signalfor reading out image information from the memory A806 or B807 to thememory controller 808 in response to the signal from the core section10. The image information from the memory A806 or B807 is input to thememory controller 808 via the signal line 858. The image informationoutput from the memory controller 808 is transferred to the core section10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800. The output from thecore section 10 to the printer unit 2 is performed in accordance withthe operation explained in the core section 10.

Explanation of the Image Memory Section 9

The image memory section 9 will now be explained below with reference toFIG. 9.

The image memory section 9, connected to the core section 10 through aconnector 900, exchanges various signals. Multi-valued input signals 954are stored in a memory 904 under the control of a memory controller 905.The memory controller 905 has three functions of a mode in which data isexchanged between the memory 904 and a CPU bus 957 in accordance with aninstruction from a CPU 906, a mode in which the input signal 954 isstored in the memory 904 under the control of a timing generatingcircuit 902, and a mode in which the memory contents are read from thememory 904 and output to a signal line 955.

The memory 904 has a capacity of 32 Mbytes and stores an imagecorresponding to a sheet of A3 size at a resolution of 400 dpi and at256 gradations. The timing generating circuit 902, connected to theconnector 900 through a signal line 952, is activated by a controlsignal (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, and VEN) from the core section 10 andgenerates a signal for achieving the two functions described below. Onefunction is to store image information from the core section 10 in thememory 904, and another function is to read image information from thememory 904 and transmit the image information to the signal line 955.

A dual port memory 903 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core section10 via a signal line 953 and the CPU 906 of the image memory section 9via the signal line 957. The two CPUs exchange commands with each othervia the dual port memory 903.

One embodiment in which the image information is stored in the imagememory section 9 and this information is transferred to the computerwill be explained below. The 8-bit multi-valued image signals from thereader unit 1 are input from the connector 900 and input to the memorycontroller 905 via the signal line 954. The memory controller 905 makesthe timing generating circuit 902 generate a timing signal 956 inresponse to a signal 952 from the core section 10, and the signal 954 isstored in the memory 904 in accordance with the signal 956.

The CPU 906 connects the memory 904 of the memory controller 905 to theCPU bus 957. The CPU 906 reads out image information in sequence fromthe memory 904 and transfers the image information to the dual portmemory 903. The CPU 1003 of the core section 10 reads image informationin the dual port memory 903 of the image memory section 9 via the signalline 953 and the connector 900, and transfers this information to thecomputer interface section 7.

Next, one embodiment in which the image information received from thecomputer 11 is output to the printer unit 2 will be explained below. Theimage information received from the computer 11 is sent out to the coresection 10 via the computer interface section 7. The CPU 1003 of thecore section 10 transfers the image information to the dual port memory903 of the image memory section 9 via the CPU bus 1054 and the connector1009.

At this time, the CPU 906 controls the memory controller 905 so that theCPU bus 957 is connected to the bus of the memory 904. The CPU 906transfers image information from the dual port memory 903 via the memorycontroller 905 to the memory 904. When the image information has beencompletely transferred to the memory 904, the CPU 906 controls thememory controller 905 so that the data line of the memory 904 isconnected to the signal line 955.

The CPU 906 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 viathe dual port memory 903 and makes the setting for making the image passfrom the memory 904 through the core section 10 to the printer unit 2whereby the image is printed.

When the setting for printing out the image is terminated, the CPU 906activates the timing generating circuit 902 so that a predeterminedtiming signal is output from a signal line 956 to the memory controller905. The memory controller 905 reads out the image information from thememory 904 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generatingcircuit 902, transmits the image information to the signal line 955 andoutputs to the connector 900 from which the image information is outputto the external device 3.

Explanation of the Operation of this Embodiment

In this embodiment having the above-described construction, referring tothe accompanying drawings, an explanation will be given below of theoperation for making a duplicate copy involved in an image processingjob, such as facsimile transmission of image information by using thefacsimile section 4 or outputting image to the printer unit 2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with theembodiment of the present invention.

The operator who initiates a job inputs his or her own user code fromthe operation section 124 of the reader unit 1. This user code istransmitted to the CPU 1003 of the core section 10, and the CPU 1003identifies the initiator of the job (S11).

A list of user codes of users for which automatic duplicate copyacquisition is required has previously been written in a memory deviceinside the CPU 1003 by a manager. The CPU 1003 compares this list withthe user code of the initiator identified at the step S11 (S12).

When the initiator is included in the list, the process proceeds to stepS13 where the destination of the image data of the job is switched fromthe original destination, for example, the facsimile section 4, set bythe activator to the file section 5, and the image processing job isexecuted. Then, the image data output to the file section 5 istransferred to the original destination, for example, the facsimilesection 4 (S14). With these steps S13 and S14, the duplicate copy of theoutput image data of the job is held in the file section 5.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the initiator isnot included in the list and the image processing job does not require aduplicate copy, the process proceeds to step S15 where the imageprocessing job is performed with the original destination, for example,the facsimile section 4, as an output destination. In this case, noduplicate copy is made.

In step S11, the job initiator is identified on the basis of the usercode input from the operation section 124. When the user code is input,a well-known ID card in which the user code is recorded by magnetic,electronic, mechanical or other means may be used. When the job isinvoked from the external computer 11, the user code is input from aninput device, such as a keyboard attached to the computer 11. The usercode is transmitted to the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 via thecomputer interface section 7 and used in the same way as describedabove.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, needless to say, adevice having an image output function, other than a file section, forexample, a printer unit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interfacesection, may be used, and a duplicate copy acquisition operation, forexample, making a duplicate copy in the form of a printout, can beperformed.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is to be made and then theimage data is transferred to the original output destination of the job,these steps may, needless to say, be performed simultaneously orperformed in a reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only an initiator is taken intoconsideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy, needless to say,more precise control is possible by making a job condition determinationby using a combination of logical OR or logical AND of other conditionswhich will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job invoked by a predeterminedspecific operator be left as a duplicate copy in an image file or thelike. Thus, the operator does not have to perform another operation formaking a duplicate copy when an image processing job which alwaysrequires a duplicate copy is performed by the operator.

Second Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention.

When a job is initiated by the operator, a combination of an inputdevice, a conversion device, and an output device is determined by theCPU 1003 of the core section 10 according to the type of the imageprocessing of the job, and the CPU 1003 determines an image data inputsource of the job on the basis of this combination (S21).

A list of image data input sources for which automatic duplicate copyacquisition is required has previously been written in a memory deviceinside the CPU 1003 by a manager. The CPU 1003 compares this list withthe image data input source identified in step S21 (S22).

When an input source is the reader unit 1, for example, and included inthe list, the process proceeds to step S23 where the destination of theimage data of the job is switched from the original destination, forexample, the printer unit 2, set by the activator to the file section 5,and the image processing job is performed. Next, the image data outputto the file section 5 is transferred to the original destination, forexample, the printer unit 2, again (S24). With these steps S23 and S24,the duplicate copy of the output image data of the job is held in thefile section.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the imageprocessing job uses an input source which does not require a duplicatecopy, the process proceeds to step S25, where the image processing jobis performed with the original destination being as the outputdestination. In this case, no duplicate copy is left.

Information specified in step S21 as an input source for image data maybe any of device type of a reader unit, a facsimile unit (reception), ora computer interface section (reception), a telephone number of afacsimile transmission source, an ID of a computer connected through acomputer interface, and an ID of application software or a driversoftware used for sending out image data in the computer.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, needless to say, adevice having an image output function, other than a file section, suchas a printer unit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section,may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job,needless to say, these steps may be performed simultaneously orperformed in a reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only an input source is taken intoconsideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy, needless to say,more precise control is possible by making a job condition determinationby using a combination of logical OR or logical AND of other conditionswhich will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job, in which image data is givenby a predetermined specific image data input source, be automaticallyheld as a duplicate copy in an image file. Thus, when an imageprocessing job is performed from an image data input source for which aduplicate copy needs to be made, the operator does not have to performanother operation for making a duplicate copy.

Third Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with thethird embodiment of the present invention.

When a job is initiated by an operator, a combination of an inputdevice, a conversion device, and an output device is determined by theCPU 1003 of the core section 10 according to the type of the imageprocessing of the job, and the CPU 1003 determines an image data outputdestination of the job on the basis of this combination (S31).

A list of image data output destinations for which automatic documentacquisition is required has previously been written in a memory deviceinside the CPU 1003 by a manager. The CPU 1003 compares this list withthe image data output destination identified in step S31 (S32). When theoutput destination is, for example, the printer unit 2, and the printerunit 2 is included in the list, the process proceeds to step S33 wherethe destination of the image data of the job is switched from theoriginal destination, for example, the printer unit 2, set by theactivator to the file section 5, and the image processing job isperformed. Next, the image data output to the file section 5 istransferred to the original destination, for example, the printer unit2, again (S34). With these steps S33 and S34, the duplicate copy of theoutput image data of the job is made.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 32 that the imageprocessing job is a job using the image output destination which doesnot require a duplicate copy, the process proceeds to step S35 where theimage processing job is performed with the original destination being asthe output destination. In this case, no duplicate copy is made.

Information specified in step S31 as an output destination for imagedata may be any of device types of a printer unit, a facsimile unit(transmission), a computer interface section (transmission) and thelike, a telephone number of a facsimile transmission destination, an IDof a computer connected through a computer interface, and an ID ofapplication software or a driver software used for receiving image datain the computer.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, needless to say, adevice having an image output function, other than a file section, suchas a printer unit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section,may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job, thesesteps may, needless to say, be performed simultaneously or performed ina reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only an output destination is taken intoconsideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy, needless to say,more precise control is possible by making a job condition determinationby using a combination of logical OR or logical AND of other conditionswhich will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job, in which image data isoutput to a predetermined specific image data output destination, beautomatically held as a duplicate copy in an image file. Thus, when animage processing job is performed for an image data output destinationfor which a duplicate copy needs to be made, the operator does not haveto perform another operation for making a duplicate copy.

Fourth Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

When a job is initiated by an operator, a combination of an inputdevice, a conversion device, and an output device is determined by theCPU 1003 of the core section 10 according to the type of the imageprocessing of the job, and the CPU 1003 determines a conversion to beapplied to the image data of the job on the basis of this combination(S41).

A list of image data conversions for which automatic documentacquisition is required has previously been written in a memory deviceinside the CPU 1003 by a manager. The CPU 1003 compares this list withthe image data conversion identified in step S41 (S42). When aconversion to be applied is a rotation of the image, for example, andthe rotation of the image is included in the list, the process proceedsto step S43 where the destination of the image data of the job isswitched from the original destination set by the activator to the filesection 5, and the image processing job is performed. Next, the imagedata output to the file section 5 is transferred to the originaldestination again (S44). With these steps S43 and S44, the duplicatecopy of the output image data of the job is made.

On the other hand, it is determined in step S42 that the image dataconversion performed in the image processing job does not require aduplicate copy, the process proceeds to step S45 where the imageprocessing job is performed with the original destination being as theoutput destination. In this case, no duplicate copy is made.

Information specified as a conversion type of image data in step S41includes the type of page description language for image rasterizingperformed by the formatter section 8, the device types of thebinarization circuit 1012, the enlarging circuit 1022 and the rotationcircuit 1015, parameters to be set at the apparatus and the like.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, a device having animage output function, other than a file section, for example, a printerunit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job, thesesteps may, needless to say, be performed simultaneously or performed ina reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only the type of conversion of image data istaken into consideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy,needless to say, more precise control is possible by making a jobcondition determination by using a combination of logical OR or logicalAND of other conditions which will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job, in which the image data isconverted by a predetermined specific image data conversion device, beheld as a duplicate copy in an image file. Thus, when an imageprocessing job for which a duplicate copy needs to be left, in which theimage data is converted by a predetermined specific image dataconversion device, is performed, the operator does not have to performanother operation for making a duplicate copy.

Fifth Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with thefifth embodiment of the present invention.

When a job is initiated by an operator, a combination of an inputdevice, a conversion device, and an output device, and the amount ofimage data supplied from the input device are determined by the CPU 1003of the core section 10 according to the type of the image processing ofthe job, and the CPU 1003 determines the processing time of the job onthe basis of this combination and the amount of input data (S51).

A case will be used as an example, in which a job of rasterizing andprinting data described by a page description language is invoked in acombination of the computer interface section 7, the formatter section 8and the printer unit 2. The number of pages of a document to be outputreceived from the computer 11 is received by the CPU 1003, and the CPU1003 multiplies a standard time required for an operation for developingand printing one page by the number of pages of a document to be outputin order to estimate the processing time.

The range of the processing time of the job (the lower and upper limit)for which automatic document acquisition is required has previously beenwritten in a memory device inside the CPU 1003 by a manager. The CPU1003 compares this range with the processing time calculated in step S51(S52).

When the processing time calculated is included in the range, theprocess proceeds to step S53 where the destination of the image data ofthe job is switched from the original destination set by the activatorto the file section 5, and the image processing job is executed. Next,the image data output to the file section 5 is transferred to theoriginal destination (S54). With these steps S53 and S54, the duplicatecopy of the output image data of the job is held in the file section.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S52 that the processingtime required for the image processing job does not require a duplicatecopy, the process proceeds to step S55 where the image processing job isperformed with the original destination being as an output destination.In this case, no duplicate copy is made.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, a device having animage output function, other than a file section, for example, a printerunit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section, may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job, thesesteps may be performed simultaneously or performed in a reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only an image processing time is taken intoconsideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy, needless to say,more precise control is possible by making a job condition determinationby using a combination of logical OR or logical AND of other conditionswhich will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job requiring a predeterminedprocessing time be held as a duplicate copy in an image file. Thus, whenan image processing job which takes a long time, for example, isperformed from an image data input source for which a duplicate copyneeds to be made, the operator does not have to perform anotheroperation for making a duplicate copy.

Sixth Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

When a job is initiated by an operator, a combination of an inputdevice, a conversion device, and an output device, and the amount ofimage data supplied from the input device are determined by the CPU 1003of the core section 10 according to the type of the image processing ofthe job, and the CPU 1003 determines the amount of output data of thejob on the basis of this combination and the amount of input data (S61).

A case will be used as an example, in which a job of rasterizing andprinting data described by a page description language is invoked in acombination of the computer interface section 7, the formatter section 8and the printer unit 2. The number of pages of a document to be outputreceived from the computer 11 is received by the CPU 1003, and the CPU1003 multiplies the amount of data after the development operation forone page by the number of pages of a document to be output in order tocalculate the amount of output data.

The range of the amount of output data of the job (the lower and upperlimit) for which automatic duplicate copy acquisition is required haspreviously been written in a memory device inside the CPU 1003 by amanager. The CPU 1003 compares this range with the amount of datacalculated in step S61 (S62).

When the amount of data calculated is included in the range, the processproceeds to step S63 where the destination of the image data of the jobis switched from the original destination set by the activator to thefile section 5, and the image processing job is executed. Next, theimage data output to the file section 5 is transferred to the originaldestination (S64). With these steps S63 and S64, the duplicate copy ofthe output image data of the job is held in the file section.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that the amount ofdata output in the image processing job does not require a duplicatecopy, the process proceeds to step S65 where the image processing job isperformed with the original destination being as an output destination.In this case, no duplicate copy is made.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, a device having animage output function, other than a file section, for example, a printerunit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section, may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job, thesesteps may of course be performed simultaneously or performed in areverse order.

Although in this embodiment only the amount of output image data istaken into consideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy,needless to say, more precise control is possible by making a jobcondition determination by using a combination of logical OR or logicalAND of other conditions which will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job, in which image data of apredetermined range is handled, be held as a duplicate copy in an imagefile. Thus, when an image processing job of a large amount of data, inwhich a large load is applied to the operation when the operation needsto be performed once more, is performed, or conversely, when an imageprocessing job of such a small amount of data as not to oppress thestorage capacity of a storage device of the image file is performed, theoperator does not have to perform another operation for making aduplicate copy.

Seventh Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with theseventh embodiment of the present invention.

When a job is initiated by an operator, the time of this job initiationis read out from a calendar IC (not shown) contained in the CPU 1003 ofthe core section 10, and the CPU 1003 determines the job starting time(S71).

The range of the job starting time (the starting and termination time)for which automatic document acquisition is required has previously beenwritten in a memory device inside the CPU 1003 by a manager. The CPU1003 compares this range with the processing time calculated in step S71(S72).

When the determined starting time is included in the range, the processproceeds to step S73 where the destination of the image data of the jobis switched from the original destination set by the activator to thefile section 5, and the image processing job is performed. Next, theimage data output to the file section 5 is transferred to the originaldestination again (S74). With these steps S73 and S74, the duplicatecopy of the output image data of the job is held in the file section.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S72 that the startingtime of the image processing job does not require a duplicate copy, theprocess proceeds to step S75 where the image processing job is performedwith the original destination being as the output destination. In thiscase, no duplicate copy is made.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, a device having animage output function, other than a file section, for example, a printerunit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section, may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job, thesesteps may, needless to say, be performed simultaneously or performed ina reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only a starting time of a job is taken intoconsideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy, needless to say,more precise control is possible by making a job condition determinationby using a combination of logical OR or logical AND of other conditionswhich will be explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job which is performed at apredetermined specific time be held as a duplicate copy in an image fileor the like. Thus, when a specific image processing job requiring aduplicate copy is performed, such as a communication at a fixed timeusing a facsimile, the operator does not have to perform anotheroperation for making a duplicate copy.

Eighth Embodiment

An explanation will be given below of an operation for acquiring aduplicate copy involved in an image processing job in a combined imageprocessing apparatus in accordance with an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention. The construction of the combined image processingapparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment, and thus a detailed explanation of the construction andoperation of the combined image processing apparatus of this embodimentis omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of anautomatic duplicate copy acquisition operation in accordance with theeighth embodiment of the present invention.

An operator who initiates a job adds job attributes, for example,“urgent”, “important” or “normal”, from the operation section 124. Thisjob attribute is transmitted to the CPU 1003 of the core section 10, andthe CPU 1003 identifies the job attribute (S81). A list of jobattributes for which automatic document acquisition is required haspreviously been written in a memory device inside the CPU 1003 by amanager. The CPU 1003 compares this list with the job attributeidentified in step S81 (S82).

When the job attribute is included in the list, the process proceeds tostep S83 where the destination of the image data of the job is switchedfrom the original destination set by the activator to the file section5, and the image processing job is performed. Next, the image dataoutput to the file section 5 is transferred to the original destinationagain (S84). With these steps S83 and S84, the duplicate copy of theoutput image data of the job is held in the file section 5.

On the other hand, it is determined in step S82 that the attribute ofthe image processing job does not require a duplicate copy, the processproceeds to step S85 where the image processing job is performed withthe original destination being as the output destination. In this case,no duplicate copy is made.

Although, in step S81, the job attribute is identified by the operatoron the basis of the job attribute information input from the operationsection 124, specialized keys for representing attribute information,such as “urgent”, “important” or “normal”, disposed on the operationsection 124 may be used for the determination.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the operation section 124 on which areprovided a ten-key pad 1804, output destination (a file, facsimile orthe like) designation keys 1805 to 1807, a start key 1808, and a displaydevice 1809, as well as specialized keys 1801 to 1803 for inputtingattributes of an image processing job.

When a job is initiated from the external computer 11, job attributesare input from an input device, such as a keyboard or pointing deviceattached to the computer 11. Codes indicating the job attributes aretransmitted to the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 via the computerinterface section 7. An example of the input screen displayed on thedisplay unit attached to the computer 11, for prompting inputting of jobattributes, is shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 shows a state in whichparameters for specifying a normal print mode, as well as a display 1901for specifying job attributes, such as “urgent”, “important” or“normal”, is displayed on the display device of the computer 11. Whenthis job attribute display is pointed to with a pointing device or thelike, the above-described job attribute is input and transferred to thecore section 10.

Although in this embodiment the file section 5 is used as the outputdestination for which a duplicate copy is to be made, a device having animage output function, other than a file section, for example, a printerunit, a facsimile unit, or a computer interface section, may be used.

Although in this embodiment the following two steps are performed toleave an image for a duplicate copy: image data is first output to anoutput destination for which a duplicate copy is made and then the imagedata is transferred to the original output destination of the job,needless to say, these steps may be performed simultaneously orperformed in a reverse order.

Although in this embodiment only a job attribute is taken intoconsideration as a condition to make a duplicate copy, needless to say,more precise control is possible by making a job condition determinationby using a combination of logical OR or logical AND of other conditionswhich are explained in other embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as described above, it becomes possible tomake the result of an image processing job in which a specific attributeis given by an operator at start time be held as a duplicate copy in animage file or the like. Thus, when an image processing job requiring aduplicate copy, such as a job attached with an attribute of “important”,is performed by the operator, the operator does not have to performanother operation for making a duplicate copy.

Many different embodiments of the present invention may be constructedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Itshould be understood that the present invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments described in this specification. To the contrary,the present invention is intended to cover various modifications andequivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as hereafter claimed. The scope of the following claims is tobe accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications, equivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing method comprising: a settingstep of setting an image processing job to be performed on image data; aprocessing step of processing image data in accordance with the imageprocessing job set in said setting step to obtain processed image data;an obtaining step of obtaining a time at which the set image processingjob is performed; a determining step of determining whether the timeobtained in said obtaining step satisfies a predetermined condition; anoutputting step of outputting the processed image data to an outputdestination in accordance with the image processing job set in saidsetting step; and a duplicating step of outputting the processed imagedata to a predetermined destination so as to make a duplicate copy, whenit is determined that the time at which the set image processing job isperformed satisfies the predetermined condition in said determiningstep.
 2. An image processing method according to claim 1, wherein theprocessed image data is output to an image data storage medium in saidduplicating step.
 3. An image processing method according to claim 1,wherein the predetermined destination is not related to the imageprocessing job.
 4. An image processing method according to claim 1,wherein whether or not the time at which the image processing job isperformed is in a predetermined range of time is determined in saiddetermining step.
 5. An image processing apparatus comprising: a settingunit adapted to set an image processing job to be performed on imagedata; a processing unit adapted to process image data in accordance withthe image processing job set by said setting unit to obtain processedimage data; an obtaining unit adapted to obtain a time at which the setimage processing job is performed; a determination unit adapted todetermine if the time obtained by said obtaining unit satisfies apredetermined condition; an output unit adapted to output the processedimage data to an output destination in accordance with the imageprocessing job set by said setting unit; and a duplication unit adaptedto output the processed image data to a predetermined destination so asto make a duplicate copy, when it is determined by said determinationunit that the time at which the set image processing job is performedsatisfies the predetermined condition.
 6. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said duplication unit outputs theprocessed image data to an image data storage medium.
 7. An imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said determinationunit determines whether or not the time at which the image processingjob is performed is in a predetermined range of time.
 8. An imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermineddestination is not related to the image processing job.
 9. An imageprocessing system comprising: an input unit adapted to input image data;a setting unit adapted to set an image processing job to be performed onimage data; a processing unit adapted to process the image data inputtedby said input unit in accordance with the image processing job set bysaid setting unit to obtain processed image data; an obtaining unitadapted to obtain a time at which the set image processing job isperformed; an output unit adapted to output the processed image data toan output destination in accordance with the image processing job set bysaid setting unit; and a holding unit adapted to hold the processedimage data so as to make a duplicate copy, when the time at which theset image processing job is performed satisfies a predeterminedcondition.
 10. An image processing system according to claim 9, whereinsaid holding unit holds the processed image data when the time at whichthe image processing job is performed is in a predetermined range oftime.
 11. An image processing system according to claim 9, wherein saidinput unit comprises an image reading unit adapted to read an image ofan original document and to form image data.
 12. An image processingsystem according to claim 9, wherein said output unit comprises an imagetransmitting unit adapted to send image data to a remote place.
 13. Animage processing method comprising: a first determination step ofdetermining a time at which image data is to be processed; a seconddetermination step of determining whether the time determined in saidfirst determination step satisfies a predetermined condition; an outputstep of outputting the image data to an output destination in accordancewith an image processing job, which is related to the time; and aduplication step of outputting the image data to a predetermineddestination to make a duplicate copy, when it is determined that thetime satisfies the predetermined condition in said second determinationstep.
 14. An image processing method according to claim 13, wherein saidduplication step outputs the image data to a storage medium.
 15. Animage processing method according to claim 13, wherein said duplicationstep outputs the image data to a destination that is not related to theimage processing job.
 16. An image processing method according to claim13, wherein said second determination step determines whether the timeis within a predetermined range of times.
 17. An image processing methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the time is a time at which an imagecommunication of the image data is performed.
 18. An image processingapparatus comprising: a first determination unit adapted to determine atime at which image data is to be processed; a second determination unitadapted to determine whether the time determined by said firstdetermination unit satisfies a predetermined condition; an output unitadapted to output the image data to an output destination in accordancewith an image processing job, which is related to the time; and aduplication unit adapted to output the image data to a predetermineddestination to make a duplicate copy, when it is determined that thetime satisfies the predetermined condition of said second determinationunit.
 19. An image processing apparatus according to claim 18, whereinsaid duplication unit outputs the image data to a storage medium.
 20. Animage processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein saidduplication unit outputs the image data to a destination that is notrelated to the image processing job.
 21. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein said second determination unit determineswhether the time is within a predetermined range of times.
 22. An imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the time is a timeat which an image communication of the image data is performed.